Some fashion items may have you raising an eyebrow, especially when you look at their prices. One of those items are the iconic, distressed Golden Goose shoes.
Those high-end Italian sneakers are among the world’s most sought-after footwear. New designs almost always sell out quickly even though their prices are exorbitant. This begs the question: why are Golden Goose shoes so expensive?
Why Are Golden Goose Shoes So Expensive?
1. Handmade
The fact that Golden Goose shoes are all handmade is one of the main reasons they’re so expensive.
Each Golden Goose shoe is meticulously crafted by a skilled artisan. This means that great care is taken during the manufacturing process. Even the shoelaces are carefully threaded and dyed by Golden Goose artisans.
Golden Goose chose to make handmade shoes to provide their customers with comfort.
By default, the skill and detail that go into those handmade shoes make them more pricey. In addition, handmade items are always in short supply. As a result of the high demand for sneakers, the price of those that are available rises.
Still, even though the shoes are more expensive, each pair is a high-quality, one-of-a-kind item.
2. Distressing Process
One of the reasons Golden Goose shoes are popular is their distressed style. Golden Goose shoes take inspiration from skateboarders.
That’s why they often have skid marks, muddy tracks, grass stains, and other signs that they’ve had a life. It takes a lot of effort and time to replicate this worn-in look without actually damaging the shoes, though.
Distressing is another step in the manufacturing process. So, besides the material costs, the time and effort required to distress each shoe cost extra money.
If you’re wondering if the shoes have actually been used, don’t worry. They’re only designed to appear that way.
3. Premium Leather Uppers
The distressing process isn’t the only factor that contributes to Golden Goose shoes’ distinct style—or the high price tag. The exterior of your Golden Goose shoes is made from some of Italy’s finest leathers.
The reason Golden Goose uses premium leather isn’t just to create a one-of-a-kind product. High-quality leather is durable and comfortable. It also improves with age and provides more texture to the shoes.
Premium Italian leather is naturally expensive due to the amount of work that goes into producing it. Add in the Golden Goose shoe-making process, and the price skyrockets.
4. French Terry Inner Lining
The French terry inner lining is another expensive material used in Golden Goose shoes. French terry is most commonly used in sweatshirts, and it’s known for being:
- Light-weight
- Moisture-wicking
- Soft
- Super flexible
The use of French terry ensures that the shoes are as comfortable as possible.
The material helps regulate the temperature inside the shoe, keeping the wearer’s feet cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather. That’s what makes Golden Goose shoes suitable for wearing at any time of year.
This inner lining material doesn’t come cheap, though. It also takes skill and careful design to make it work as a long-lasting inner lining.
5. Premium Cotton Laces
Some people may believe that spending extra manufacturing costs on shoelaces isn’t worth it. However, Golden Goose disagrees.
All Golden Goose shoes have laces made from high-quality cotton. Because these laces are longer and thicker, they’re more durable and less likely to fray or break over time.
So, by using premium cotton for the shoelaces, Golden Goose shoes provide additional comfort and durability, as well as a high price tag.
6. Limited Edition
Golden Goose shoes aren’t only coveted for their unique designs. Most, if not all, Golden Goose shoes are “limited edition” because the company releases new designs every year. This makes the shoes more difficult to obtain and, as a result, more expensive.
Since there’s a limited supply of those shoes, few people can get their hands on them. As a result, the demand for the shoes rises, and so do the prices.
The reason Golden Goose produces such a limited supply of their shoes is to create a sense of exclusivity. Golden Goose owners are unlikely to meet another person wearing the same shoes as them, which can make them feel special.
Still, coming up with new unique but trendy designs isn’t easy. So much time, effort, and money go into the production process, which is why the final product is so expensive.
7. Celebrity Endorsements
Another reason for the high price of Golden Goose shoes is celebrity endorsements.
A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, and Megan Fox have all been seen rocking the scruffy sneakers. Many other celebrities have been spotted wearing Golden Goose.
In general, brands send free products to celebrities in order to increase brand awareness. What’s more, celebrity endorsements are typically costly.
To help make up for all of this, brands may raise the prices of their products.
So we can assume that Golden Goose raises prices to compensate for the free shoes given to celebrities as well as those endorsements.
8. Limited Lifetime Warranty
Golden Goose Shoes come with a limited lifetime warranty. As a rule of thumb, products with any kind of warranty can cost more.
Given the cost of just one pair, Golden Goose shows its appreciation by replacing your shoes if there are any manufacturer defects.
Just keep in mind that Golden Goose warranties are only valid if the shoes are purchased from one of the company’s flagship stores or through its website.
9. “It” Shoe
For a long time, Golden Goose shoes have been the “it” shoe. Almost everyone wants to get their hands on a pair or two. Such popularity can drive up prices, which is exactly the case with Golden Goose shoes.
If a design of Golden Goose shoes is in short supply, the price may rise even further.
Conclusion
Why are Golden Goose shoes so expensive?
You may have asked this question when you first visited the Golden Goose website.
Those stylish, Italian sneakers are made from top-quality materials, which can explain their hefty prices.
Ultimately, with Golden Goose shoes, you get what you paid for. So if you believe the price is worth it, Golden Goose shoes can be versatile and complement most styles.